If you’re a junior and you really want to improve and achieve all your goals in your golf career which may include your desire to play for a high school team, college team, and ultimately play on a tour—it is impossible to get to that level without a sharp and effective short game. Whenever you train and you practice, you should start from the green and move back to the tee. Begin by setting up a practice schedule based on your time availability each week. Two-thirds of your practice schedule should be on your short game. One third of your practice should be on your full swing. I really feel that in the short game the emphasis should be on shaping shots using different on course scenarios. These shots allow you to be more creative and it also builds mental toughness.

This golf tip was contributed by Gary Gilchrist. Gary is currently the Director of Instruction at the International Junior Golf Academy where his clients include Peter Hedblom, Song Hee Kim, Nicole Perrot and Sean O’Hair. Gary has directed the development of 75 AJGA All-Americans; 6 AJGA Players of the Year; 2 AJGA Sportsmanship award winners; 2 U.S. Amateur champions; 2 U.S. Junior champions; an NCAA Women’s champion and 1 Public Links champion.

He is the author of this new book on golf training for juniors, Train Like A Champion.